HACKENSACK, N.J. — As we hunker down at home to self-quarantine amid the throes of this historic coronavirus pandemic, it’s safe to assert we’re all feeling somewhat stuck in our lives.

With the state essentially on lockdown with a number of our favorite so-called “non-essential” businesses indefinitely shuttered, which are, to us pleasure seekers, very essential (coffee shops, malls, restaurants and movie theaters, to name a few) — the future seems to hang in the balance. As our household supply lists of toiletries, food, and water continue to mount, along with it is our Netflix movie lists (that’s not if we haven’t taken a stroll outside to enjoy the spring air).

Despite this devastation, our current state of affairs has never been the more apropos time to rediscover timeless classics while spending more time indoors, wondering what to watch. We may poke through the criterion collection selecting the movies that inspired awe or brought us to tears from "Titanic" to "Gone With the Wind," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Rocky Saga," the list goes on. But apart from re-indulging in our all-time favorite flicks, there’s nothing like discovering a new film — especially an independent gem — and one featuring a North Jersey resident!

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If you’re a sucker for crime thrillers with a hint of psychological mystique, director James Smith’s contemplative, in-your-face drama, “Do Something, Jake” (2019) by Raya Films -- an official selection of the Southend-on-Sea Film Festival and honorable mention winner from the Hollywood New Directors starring Hackensack’s Ed Bergtold as a supporting actor -- is uniquely satisfying and hopeful with a storyline reflective of the times. Jake (Jamie Alderson) is an introverted Englishman unable to read or write, living life in an arrested adolescence — his days are consumed eating cereal, playing video games, watching pornography and waiting on the next call from an employment agency amid a string of failed odd jobs. His redeeming qualities — a caring personality, a laser-like shot with his James Bond-esque video game gun, and good looks hidden beneath a shabby appearance (he even left his house once in animal-print slippers.)

In the midst of being content with living a life devoid of meaning and purpose, his voyeuristic nature comes in handy when he crushes on his bonny neighbor Alice (Mia Mills) whom he watches from their apartment building through a vent in his closet. Unbeknownst to, but lucky for her, his interest in her is what saves her from her two-bit addict boyfriend Guy (Thomas Loone), who is involved in an illicit drug operation maneuvered by Morten (Hackensack’s Ed Bergtold) and his accomplice Slim (Simon Crudgington.) Good-natured Alice and her knowledge of their shady business make her a threat, while a dangerous game to keep it under wraps ensues.

“I’m a method actor. I trained for several years. I’m familiar with being able to relate to the character,” explains Bergtold, who had a small role in Oliver Stone's 2010 blockbuster "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." “I try to bring myself into the creation of the character. I wanted to do something different. I didn’t want to play your typical gangster-type, tough guy I wanted to create a character that people would like… in degenerate human beings and evil characters, I try to find something likable. Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter… you hate to love these types of characters.”

Bergtold weaves his love of crime television shows like The Sopranos into his character in the role of Morten, a hard talking, no-nonsense crime boss from Newark who cruelly refers to Jake as “Gump” after Forrest Gump. Like in the 1994 blockbuster, the antagonist unwittingly becomes a hero.

With the backdrop of quaint, yet rainy England countryside, “Do Something, Jake” is a homage to the people who feel powerless about their dismal life situations who discover the magic of their hidden talents which they use as their personal alchemy to elicit change and redemption.

HACKENSACK, N.J. — As tens of thousands of demonstrators continued to flood major cities around the country to protest in the name of justice for George Floyd Thursday evening, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Court House in Hackensack for a peaceful rally to make their voices — and the ones of deceased victims of police brutality — heard.

"I think it's great, especially because ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — As tens of thousands of demonstrators continued to flood major cities around the ...

BERGEN COUNTY -- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella issues the following statement to all Bergen County residents:

"Last week, I joined with the 20 other New Jersey County Prosecutors to issue a statement about the tragic and deeply disturbing death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota police officers. In expressing our sympathy for Mr. Floyd’s family and friends, we ...

BERGEN COUNTY -- Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella issues the following statement to all Bergen ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Hackensack City Council is releasing the following joint statement on the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis and the unrest that this tragedy has caused throughout the country. Mayor John Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino, Deputy Mayor David Sims, Councilman Leo Battaglia and Councilwoman Stephanie Von Rudenborg said ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Hackensack City Council is releasing the following joint statement on the ...

PARAMUS, N.J. — Bergen Community College honors graduate Amirah Elayan, a member of the Class of 2020, has earned the Northeast Regional Honors Council “Student of the Year Award” for her scholastic excellence and impact on Bergen’s Judith K. Winn School of Honors program.

The Northeast Regional Honors Council recognizes a student from a four-year and a two-year institution with its annual ...

PARAMUS, N.J. — Bergen Community College honors graduate Amirah Elayan, a member of the Class of ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Between the devastating Covid-19 pandemic and the earth-shattering news of George Floyd’s grisly death, some good came from #BlackoutTuesday today in Hackensack.

During a free food and mask distribution event hosted by the Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) in partnership with Table to Table, 282 boxes of food and 150 masks were given to needy families. The event was ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Between the devastating Covid-19 pandemic and the earth-shattering news of ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — In the week following the death of George Floyd, the City of Hackensack will take it to the streets this week to rally against police brutality and demand justice.

On Memorial Day, Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who lived in a neighborhood outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, died of asphyxiation after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, crushed his neck with his bodyweight ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — In the week following the death of George Floyd, the City of Hackensack will ...

TRENTON, NJ – Outdoor dining and in-person retail shopping will be allowed starting June 15, while personal care businesses such as barbershops and hair salons will be able to open a week later as Gov. Phil Murphy continues to peel away social distancing measures.

Youth summer programs will also be permitted to start on July 6 during what Murphy calls Stage 2 of New Jersey’s road back from the ...

Looking for your next great reading fix? Get personalized recommendations from a JPL Librarian - for all ages! Fill out a form at http://johnsonlib.org/bookfix and you’ll receive a list of suggestions in 2-3 business days. Happy reading!

Resume Remedy

The Resume Remedy is a handy and easy to fill out form you can use to send all your details to a JPL ...

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- On May 30 and 31, Hackensack Riverkeeper did something that helped bring northern New Jersey a little closer to normal: the environmental group reopened its Paddling Center at Laurel Hill Park for the 2020 season. Fourteen paddlers took advantage of the perfect weather conditions — plus newly established health and safety protocols — to take to the river for a mix of ...

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- On May 30 and 31, Hackensack Riverkeeper did something that helped bring ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Mary Blanusa has been named The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s new executive director.

The Hasbrouck Heights resident has 20 years of experience in both the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, offering leadership in the areas of education, community organizing and development and advocacy.

"Ms. Blanusa brings to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation an ...

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Mary Blanusa has been named The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s new ...